Image may contain: Man, Hair, Face, Person, Human

Women’s Aid has called Joe’s behaviour on Love Island ‘controlling’

‘Abusive relationships often start off with subtle signs of control’


Joe Garratt, who has been coupled up with Lucie on Love Island since day one, is being called creepy and controlling by viewers over his treatment of Lucie.

Ofcom has received nearly 800 complaints in the space of four days, 302 of those being about Joe's comments to Lucie. And now Women's Aid have released a statement calling out the potentially abusive behaviour.

Adina Claire, Co-Chief Executive of Women’s Aid, told The Tab: “Controlling behaviour is never acceptable, and with Love Island viewers complaining to Ofcom in record numbers about Joe's possessive behaviour towards Lucie, more people are becoming aware of this and want to challenge it.

"Abusive relationships often start off with subtle signs of control, so it’s important that it is recognised at an early stage. Love Island viewers are now very vocal in calling out unhealthy behaviour between couples on the show, and this is a positive development.

"If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse in a relationship, call the Freephone 24/7 National Domestic Violence Helpline, run by Women’s Aid in partnership with Refuge, on 0808 2000 247 or visit www.womensaid.org.uk.”

Image may contain: Photography, Portrait, Photo, Smile, Head, Face, Girl, Woman, Blonde, Child, Kid, Female, Person, Teen, Human

In the beginning of the series, people pointed out the red flags in Joe's behaviour because he got angry at Lucie for being asked to go on a date with Tommy, even though she had zero choice in the matter.

He had only known her for two days at this point and was already making her feel guilty for wanting to have a choice in who she dates. Lucie got really upset over the situation, to the point where it made her cry.

This all seemed to have died down in the past week until last night, when he started telling Lucie who she can and can't be friends with in the villa. He told her "I think it's time to get close to the girls" as though she wasn't allowed male friends, when it's literally none of his business. His treatment of her has become more controlling and toxic than we've seen before.

Two nights ago Joe said to Lucie: "I can't change you and don't want to change you Lucie", but just last night he told another Islander: "I hope today is the day she woke up and she will change."

Both Lucie and Joe face elimination in tonight's episode of Love Island.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse in a relationship, call the Freephone 24/7 National Domestic Violence Helpline, run by Women’s Aid in partnership with Refuge, on 0808 2000 247 or visit the Women's Aid website.

Related stories recommended by this writer:

It’s time to admit that Love Island’s Joe is being creepy, controlling and toxic

The racism in Love Island’s first coupling ceremony has reared its ugly head again

Revealed: Everything that went down on Love Island before Sherif got kicked out